Crossing the line: Corruption at the border

Andrew Rodriguez

Age: 29

Case date: 1-27-2011

Crime: False statements

Sentence:
Awaiting sentencing

Former Border Patrol Agent Andrew Rodriguez, 30, pleaded guilty in March 2011 to one count of false statements. According to a post-indictment press release, Rodriguez was charged with one count of making a false statement to FBI agents regarding a story he fabricated about two men who ran him off the road and threatened his family. Rodriguez told FBI agents that while driving along a Minnesota highway, two men threatened to harm his family unless he did what they asked. In addition, Rodriguez later claimed to have seen the men's vehicle near his home. Rodriguez later admitted to making up the story in an effort to relocate his family to the southern border. He is awaiting sentencing.

The photographs of and information about U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees convicted or suspected of corruption-related charges were obtained by the Center for Investigative Reporting through multiple Freedom of Information Act requests and other sources. The data come primarily from Customs and Border Protection records and an internal agency website called "Trust Betrayed." The purpose of the government site is to illustrate to agency employees what happens to agents and officers caught abusing their positions. The Trust Betrayed website information is for 2005 through September 2011, with supplemental records dating to October 2004. CIR will continue to update this feature as new photographs and information become available.